Gerry Mulligan - Concert Jazz Band Live At The Village Vanguard (2002 Remaster) @ 320

Review by Ken Dryden (AMG)

It is puzzling to understand why so many of the Verve recordings by Gerry Mulligan & the Concert Jazz Band languish out of print, but this historic 1960 engagement at the Village Vanguard was finally reissued (though on a limited basis for only three years) in the spring of 2002. With a powerful band full of strong soloists (Mulligan, Bob Brookmeyer, Clark Terry, and Willie Dennis, to name just a few), a solid rhythm section, and imaginative arrangements by either Mulligan, Brookmeyer, Al Cohn, or Johnny Mandel, this release has stood the test of time very well. Cohn's treatment of Art Farmer's "Blueport" kicks the band into high gear, with potent solos by Mulligan and the now overlooked tenor saxophonist Jim Reider. Brookmeyer's richly textured scoring of "Body and Soul" is very refreshing, while the lush ballad "Come Rain or Come Shine" is a Mulligan chart featuring the leader's mellow baritone sax. Terry's almost vocal muted trumpet solo steals the show in Mulligan's closing blues, "Let My People Be," which features the leader on piano. Don't put off buying this limited-edition reissue or you'll find yourself scouring auction lists to pay a hefty price for this highly recommended CD.



Gerry Mulligan - Baritone Saxophone & Piano

Don Ferrara - Trumpet

Clark Terry - Trumpet

Nick Travis - Trumpet

Bob Brookmeyer - Valve Trombone

Willie Dennis - Trombone

Alan Raph - Trombone

Gene Quill - Alto Saxophone & Clarinet

Bob Donovan - Alto Saxophone

Jim Reider - Tenor Saxophone

Gene Allen - Bass Clarinet & Baritone Saxophone

Bill Crow - Bass

Mel Lewis - Drums



Recorded December 1960 at The Village Vanguard, New York.



1. Blueport

2. Body And Soul

3. Black Nightgown

4. Come Rain Or Come Shine

5. Lady Chatterley's Mother

6. Let My People Be